[fan] diviners trilogy - complete series

by Nicolette Andrews

  I pulled the cord, and a tinkling sound reverberated off the plaster walls. I waited anxiously for an answer and was preparing to ring again when a young man with white face paint and rouge on his cheeks answered the door.

  “Yes?” he asked. He glanced at us with narrowed eyes and his arms crossed over his chest. He was of narrow build with long arms and legs and a long face.

  “I—” I faltered; his appearance had disarmed me.

  “We are looking for work, sir,” Beau lied for me.

  He eyed me up and down and then looked at Beau. “Is he your husband?”

  I flushed and was preparing to say ‘no’ when a voice called out from within. “Who is it, Philippe?”

  A chill ran up my spine. It was the same voice from my dream. He turned his head around to answer the unseen speaker. “A couple of foreigners looking for work,” he shouted back.

  “Send them in.” The melodious cadence of the woman’s voice was entrancing.

  He stepped aside and let us in with a haughty sniff.

  He led us down a corridor and into an amphitheater. There was no ceiling, and it opened up onto the sky. The floor itself was dirt, but the upper levels had bench seating. The woman walked across the stage. She wore a garland of flowers on her head and a white gown.

  She turned to face us, and when our eyes met, the woman’s widened. She smoothed it over quickly with a smile. “Ah, how can I help you?” She took a few steps down from the stage, and she seemed to float as she did so.

  I felt as if each word she spoke echoed through me and pierced me to my core. She was more beautiful in person, with smooth skin and a sheen to her hair that would be the envy of any noble-born woman. She was much taller than me by perhaps a half a foot.

  “Yes, my lady.” I swallowed hard. She came and stood beside me, and I could smell an earthy scent, like herbs, clinging to her clothes. I had to look up to meet her gaze. Looking into her dark brown eyes, I felt a wave of panic. What if this is a coincidence and she thinks I am mad telling her that I dreamed of her. I may have been too impulsive coming here without a plan. “I am looking for work. I am able to clean or sew; whatever is needed,” I said, corroborating Beau’s lie.

  She grabbed my hands without asking and turned them over. “You do not have the hands of a laborer.”

  I blushed, fearing I had been caught. “No, my lady, I am a merchant’s wife trapped in the city after bandits took our cargo, we—that is my husband and I—are looking for work for the time being until we can buy more merchandise and head back to Jerauch.” Our fabrication fell from my lips. When had lying become so easy?

  “Are you now?” She smiled, and I suspected she knew more than she was letting on. Then I was not too hasty.

  “Philippe, will you give us a moment?” she said to the man.

  He folded his arms over his chest, and I thought he would protest, but he stomped away, cursing in Neaux the entire way.

  She motioned to a bench nearby. “Please sit.”

  I did so, but my limbs trembled all the while. She sat on the bench opposite me, and Beau took a defensive stance at my shoulder. The woman regarded me for a moment, and I felt as if she were looking right through me. I wrapped my arms around myself and rubbed my upper arms.

  “You are a diviner, yes?” the woman asked in Danhadine.

  I was startled by the abrupt change to my mother tongue and could not respond immediately. “I—Yes, I dreamed of you. You said you were waiting for me.” I looked away; it sounded ridiculous out loud.

  “My people have long prophesized the coming of the next dreau.”

  She speaks in riddles; perhaps she is hiding something. “Your people, the Biski, you mean?” I said, guessing at her heritage. “May I ask, what is a dreau?”

  She upturned her wrist, revealing a tattoo, a triangle overlaid with a swirling pattern of interlocking circles, four in all, uncannily similar to the one the du-toath had on his inner wrist. I inhaled sharply upon making the connection.

  “You are correct. My name is Elenna, daughter of Tilowa, who is head priestess to the Clan of the Horse,” she said as she turned her wrist away. “And you are a dreau, a reader of dreams, seer of future, and the champion of the darkness.”

  “You are a du-toath?” I stated, and excitement coursed through my veins. Champion of darkness, could it mean she knew of the specter? Maybe this woman held the answers I needed. I knew little about the du-toath other than their ability to control wild magic.

  “In a way I am. I ran away before taking my vows.”

  My shoulders sagged. Perhaps I am hoping for too much? “And you became a player?” I asked.

  “It was this or the brothel. There are few options for a woman without a husband in this city.” She smiled. “But I doubt your dreams led you to me because you wanted to know more about me.”

  “You’re right. I came here because I hope you may know about a specter that has possessed my friend.”

  She regarded me for a moment before standing and turning away from me. “I do not know anything about spirits, I’m sorry.” Her voice lost its melodic cadence, and I detected something close to fear there. “I’m sorry I could not be of more help to you.”

  “Elenna, a Danhadine man is here. I think he wants to hire the troupe for a fete, but I cannot understand him clearly. Can you speak with him?”

  “I will be there in a moment. Show him to the receiving room, and I shall join him shortly.”

  The man waved a hand at Elenna and disappeared back out the door.

  She turned to me once more and said, “I apologize, if you have nothing else that I may help with?” She brushed past me without waiting for an answer.

  We exited the way we had come after Beau had checked to make sure no one was around. We saw no sign of the Danhadine man that had requested a troupe, but we did see his carriage out front. It was a handsome conveyance inlaid with silver trim and had a blue sigil on the door, and when I saw the silver tree emblazoned there, my heart stopped. I stood in the street, staring at it for a moment without moving. Beau grabbed me by the shoulders and saved me from being run over by a vegetable cart that was barreling down the street. The farmer atop it shouted at me in Neaux, but I paid him little heed.

  Could a member of the Danhadine royal family be here, this far from home? Had Adair followed me out here?

  “That is the ambassador’s carriage,” Beau said. “See the sigil beneath the tree?” He pointed to a shield on the lower corner of the door.

  “Of course.” I sighed in relief, and then I noted the banner-men—below the sigil of House Raleban, there was a secondary banner. Six purple stars on a gray field: House Sixton.

  Without thinking, I hurried back down the alley in the opposite direction and back to the door of the playhouse. Before I knew it, I was ringing the bell. The man, Philippe, returned.

  “What is it, woman?” he asked with an annoyed expression.

  “Your Danhadine guest, who is he?”

  He shrugged. “A Danhadine man, fair skin, dark hair, same as most. Why?” He eyed me suspiciously.

  That could be anyone, I thought, but most likely not Jon Sixton. He had a strong Neaux complexion, olive skin and dark hair, and I assumed he spoke Neaux, given that he was of Neaux birth—or so I had always assumed. Therefore, Elenna wouldn’t be needed to translate an agreement. I stood on the step, chewing my lip as I thought. It all came together. Jon must be here in the city as Adair’s ambassador. Despite my resolve to keep myself out of these matters, I was intrigued. It was too coincidental that he had been in my dreams and now I saw signs of him everywhere. Elenna was hiding something, and Jon had not tried to capture me, though he had the chance. None of it added up.

  Beau touched my shoulder and pulled me from my thoughts. “Time to go.”

  I nodded my head and followed after him. I stopped at the end of the alley and glanced back at the ambassador’s carriage. Whatever Jon was after here in Sanore, it was no concern of mine. I was best to l
eave it alone and flee the city at the first opportunity. If only I had heeded my own advice.

  Chapter Three

  Johai returned late in the evening, by which time I had been once more absconded in our chamber. I opened my eyes long enough to see him climb into bed and go to sleep without a word. I assumed the worst and that he had not found work. I decided to not press him and instead let him sleep. I, however, lay awake long after that, wondering about Jon’s reasons for being in Neaux. As much as I told myself it did not concern me, I could not discount it either. I doubted it was coincidence that brought me to the playhouse at the same time as his servant. We had not seen any Danhadine soldiers around the city, and I almost felt like I could relax, but not quite. Something was wrong here in Sanore, and I felt it like an itch that could not be reached.

  The next morning, I came into the dining room bleary eyed. I had slept little, my worries kept me up half the night. Johai had risen and gone down to break his fast during the short period of rest I had managed to get. I slid into a spot across from him.

  The innkeeper’s wife came around with porridge with honey drizzled on it. I thanked her with a small smile, and she walked away to tend to the other guests. Johai and I ate in amiable silence for a time. He hasn’t mentioned his search for work; it must not have been successful. I waited a bit longer before I could no longer stand the suspense.

  “Did you find employment yesterday?” I asked in what I hoped was a casual tone.

  “Mmm,” Johai replied, and I was not certain if it was an affirmative or negative. His head was bent over a tome with peeling bindings and faded yellow pages.

  I tried to read the words upside down, but it was in a language I was not familiar with. A distant memory tugged at the back of my brain. I remembered as a girl looking over Johai’s shoulder and trying to decipher his notes and peer at his work. He often worked with languages that I did not know or else he covered it up to keep me from seeing what he was doing. He did not do that now. He saw me looking and turned the book around for me to see.

  “An archaic Jerauchian tome, it has information on spirit-possessions and the commingling of souls,” Johai said.

  I touched the yellowed pages. They were brittle and smelled of age. An image near the bottom of the page depicted a man with a shadow looming over his shoulder.

  “I have seen this before, in Danhad. The priest of Mrawa had something like this hanging about him.” I pointed at the picture.

  Johai turned the book at an angle so he could see it across the table. As he did so, his hand brushed mine. On impulse, I withdrew. He glanced at me for a moment, and it was the only indication that he had noticed.

  “Interesting, perhaps he was similarly afflicted?” he mused aloud.

  “I know for certain that he was,” I replied. “He warned me that I would be at the center of a war between gods. Do you think he means the specter?” I asked. I had forgotten until then. Maybe we should head for Jerauch next.

  “It is possible,” Johai said as he scratched his chin in thought. Stubble had begun to grow, and unlike his hair, it was golden blond like ripe wheat. Dark circles ringed his eyes, and it seemed he had aged since we had left Keisan.

  “We should seek him out once we arrive in Jerauch,” Johai said.

  “Jerauch?” I asked, a bit bewildered. It was as if he had read my mind.

  “Yes, I found employment with a caravan heading to Jerauch.” He closed the book and set it aside before pulling his own porridge toward himself.

  “That’s good news indeed,” I replied. The sooner we were out of the city, the better. Knowing Jon Sixton was in the city, I did not feel safe. If he was the ambassador, that meant he had much more power than a visiting lord. That combined with the increased Danhadine presence seemed a recipe for disaster.

  “The caravan does not leave for a fortnight. Hopefully enough time will have passed and we can leave the city without incident.”

  “Do you think that will be sufficient time for Jon to forget we are here?” I asked.

  “I think it would be best to leave the city sooner rather than later. Even though the city gives us cover, Jon Sixton knows we are here, and I suspect if he is here at Adair’s bidding, they will leave no stone unturned to find us.” Even though Johai had pulled his food over, he had not touched a bite.

  “You’re right,” I replied and stirred my porridge in thought. I had considered going back to the playhouse and asking Elenna again about the specter, but Johai was right; it might be best if we laid low while in Sanore. Just because we had not seen Jon yet, did not mean he wouldn’t take an opportunity to strike if we were about. Besides, there was no guarantee that Elenna even knew about the specter—my dream could have been wrong. Not that they ever have been before.

  “It will be for the best, I think. The caravan will provide disguise and a safe journey to Jerauch. I think we may need to use the glamour as well to hide your features. Jerauch is close enough to Danhad that you would be at risk of detection,” Johai said.

  I stirred my porridge without replying. It was a fortunate arrangement to be sure, and I dared not speak out against it. Our original motive, my original motive, had been to find a way to save Johai from his curse, to break the bond between him and the specter. The doubts I had been pushing aside came to the forefront. Can I save him? Perhaps it was the du-toath’s warnings, but I was not feeling confident in my abilities. Would Jerauch be any different than Neaux or Danhad? I supposed we would have to travel there and find out. Then there was Sarelle. She haunted my nights as visions of the specter once had. If I did not leave now, I knew I would be drawn back into the world of intrigue, the world that had nearly taken my life. I would be doing more than putting myself at danger but Johai and Beau as well.

  I pushed my bowl away, tired of pretending to eat. “I am feeling a bit tired. I am going to lie down.” I stood up, and the bench creaked.

  Johai grabbed my hand. I looked down at him, and his expression gave nothing away, but the physical contact still sent shivers down my spine. Why did my body continue to react this way to him? No matter how hard I tried to push aside my feelings?

  “You are not pleased?” he asked.

  I met his gaze and considered revealing everything to him, the dreams and my fears and, most importantly, telling him about Jon Sixton and my suspicions about Adair and his plans. What good would it do? He will tell me to stay, and he will continue making sacrifices for me. I promised to save him, and I will.

  “Saving you is the most important thing. I will be pleased once you are free.” I gently extracted myself and met Beau at the bottom of the steps. He raised a brow at me in question. I shook my head.

  I did not turn back to look at Johai. I knew he was watching me. I knew he had questions for me that I was not willing to answer.

  The fortnight passed exceedingly quickly considering I did little to occupy my time other than read and worry. Leaving this city meant once again we would be exposed, though the caravan promised to give us a measure of protection, but not enough to save us from being recognized and captured. Johai had offered to use the glamour to disguise us, but I refused to use his powers. His powers were linked to his loss of control over the specter, and we could not risk it further.

  The day the caravan was to leave, we rose before the sun and met the caravan master. The caravan consisted of two dozen wagons in all colors and shapes. Some were made of wood with doors that could be entered through the rear. Others were plainer, with hide tied over arched wooden ribs. There were fifty-odd oxen to pull the carts. Perhaps a hundred horses and riders joined the caravan. There were people of several nations. There were fair-haired Jerauchians, larger in stature, who spoke to each other in clipped tones and rode massive shaggy mounts. There were a few Neaux merchants that wore damask trimmed with rabbit and fox fur and sat in the front of painted wagons with signs advertising their wares. Sprinkled amongst them were Danhadines, who shivered in layers and stamped their feet to fight the morning
chill.

  I avoided them and stayed close to Johai and Beau. I was wrapped up in a new parka that Johai had procured for the journey. It had a large hood trimmed with soft fur and stuffed with down. A biting wind blew down from the blue-grey mountains known as Snakeback and went through me. I wrapped my arms around my torso in an attempt to get warm. Jerauch was even further north than Neaux, and the higher altitude meant even colder climes. As we waited to rendezvous with the caravan master, I looked out into the distance to the mountains. They were shrouded in grey clouds, and white peaks poked through them. We would pass through the mountain range to reach Jerauch. Johai told me it would be a difficult journey but one I was willing to take if it meant finding the answers we sought.

  The caravan master met us just before the city gates. He was a tall man, at least a head taller than Johai, with short-cropped blond hair and thick arms and broad shoulders.

  “You’re the scriber that Lord Malchor referred?” he asked, looking Johai up and down with a quick assessing gaze.

  “I am, and you are Hamon?” Johai replied.

  “That’s me. Ever worked on a caravan before?” Hamon asked, crossing his massive arms over his chest.

  “No, but I have enough experience travelling and at scribing to make myself more than useful.”

  The caravan master grunted and then spit onto the ground. “It’s more than you that you have to make yourself useful for, it’s your wife and your guard too.” He nodded towards Beau and me. “Rations are not free, and everyone needs to do their share.”

  “Beau is willing to lend his sword to protect the caravan, and as for my wife, she will not be a burden.”

  Hamon narrowed his gaze at us. “Very well, any of you fall behind, you’ll be left behind.” He turned on his heel and walked over to a gate guard who had emerged from a room near the gate mechanisms. “After the inspection, we’ll be on our way,” he said over his shoulder.